India on March 11 suspended all tourist visas till April 15 in a bid to contain spread of the novel coronavirus, according to an official statement.
The suspension will come into effect from 12 p.m. GMT (5.30 p.m. IST) on March 13 at the port of departure.
The decision was taken at the meeting of Group of Ministers held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
“All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure,” the statement said.
Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is also kept in abeyance till April 15.
#CoronaVirusUpdate:
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) March 11, 2020
Visa restrictions issued by Bureau of Immigration (BOI) after meeting of GoM on #COVID19 today.#SwasthaBharat #HelpUsToHelpYou @PMOIndia @drharshvardhan @AshwiniKChoubey @MIB_India @PIB_India @DG_PIB @MEAIndia @MoCA_GoI @shipmin_india @tourismgoi pic.twitter.com/dI8tNxihLW
Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission, the release said, adding that all incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.
Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) March 11, 2020
International traffic through land borders will be restricted to Designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by Ministry of Home Affairs.
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) March 11, 2020